OBAMA TO INSURERS: NO BAILOUT – Kyle Cheney and Jennifer Haberkorn report for the hometown paper: “President Barack Obama had some bad news for the insurance company CEOs who met him at the White House: his ‘fix’ might cost them. Obama asked the CEOs to reinstate millions of Americans’ health insurance plans that were cancelled because they fell short of coverage requirements under the law, according to two executives who attended the session Friday. The president offered the execs some sweeteners, but admitted they won’t necessarily add up to enough to cover the full brunt of added costs that the changes to the insurance market could create.

-- “The president’s proposed ‘fix’ to the wave of plan cancellations was to allow insurance companies to extend the plans for a year, but those extensions are voluntary, so he needs the industry to buy in. Obama’s frank talk with the CEOs raises the stakes for the short-term solution and is a reminder that as much as the health care law is the president’s signature achievement, he still needs industry buy-in for it to succeed in the long run.” http://politi.co/1bLlVkB

Story Continued Below

-- THE ADMINISTRATION was warned last spring that its health care website didn’t meet key requirements for a successful rollout, according to a copy of a newly disclosed “Red Team” report prepared for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. POLITICO’s Jonathan Allen: http://politi.co/1dQmSHT

NEW POLL: Obama’s numbers have tumbled since his botched Obamacare rollout. Dan Balz and Peyton M. Craighill write on A1 of the Washington Post: “The flawed rollout of the Affordable Care Act has pushed President Obama to the lowest point of his presidency, with dwindling faith in his competence and in many of the personal attributes that have buoyed him in the past, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Opposition to the new health-care law also hit a record high in the survey, with 57 percent saying they oppose the president’s most significant domestic initiative. Forty-six percent say they are strongly against it. Just a month ago, as the enrollment period was beginning, the public was almost evenly divided in its assessments of the law. Disapproval of Obama’s handling of the health-care law’s rollout stands at 63 percent, with a majority saying they strongly disapprove. Last month, 53 percent disapproved.” http://wapo.st/17iXRUw

BREAKING: AT LEAST 20 DEAD IN IRAN EMBASSY BOMBING IN BEIRUT – AP: “Twin suicide bombings struck outside the Iranian Embassy in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday, killing 23 people, including the Iranian cultural attaché, and wounding dozens more in one of the worst bombings to target the predominantly Shiite area in southern Beirut. The mid-morning blasts hit the upscale neighborhood of Janah, a stronghold of the Iranian-backed Shiite Hezbollah group, leaving pools of blood and bodies on the rubble-strewn street amid burning cars. … Although there was no immediate claim of responsibility, the bombings appeared to be related to the conflict next door in Syria.” http://wapo.st/17juEZE

11 SENATORS PUSH BACK AT GILLIBRAND PLAN TO FIGHT MILITARY ASSAULT – “Senate opponents of stripping military commanders of the authority to prosecute serious crimes such as rape and sexual assault said Monday that the proposal could make it worse for victims,” Donna Cassata writes for the AP. “In a letter to Senate colleagues, 11 members of the Senate Armed Services Committee wrote that sexual assault in the military is an abomination and must be dealt with forcefully, but they rejected the solution offered by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. Gillibrand has the public support of nearly half the Senate for removing commanders from deciding whether serious crimes go to trial and giving that authority to seasoned trial lawyers who have prosecutorial experience and hold the rank of colonel or higher.” http://wapo.st/1dSbvPK

-- SPOTLIGHT ON MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT -- Sens. Barbara Mikulski, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Amy Klobuchar, Tammy Baldwin, Patty Murray and Claire McCaskill will take to the floor at 10:15 a.m. and speak in support of the ongoing efforts to address military sexual assault. Then at 11 a.m., Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Grassley, Jeanne Shaheen, Rand Paul, Richard Blumenthal and Mazie Hirono hold a news conference pushing for an independent military justice system in sex assault cases, in Dirksen 562. An earlier version of Huddle incorrectly stated that these would be dueling events.

ROCKY ROAD FOR DEFENSE BILL – POLITICO’s Austin Wright reports: “The Senate moved to debate the annual defense policy bill on Monday evening, but senators immediately disagreed about how to proceed with the first major amendments — on the prison for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and reforms of the way the military handles sexual assault and other major crimes. Senators voted 91-0 to take up the bill but hit an immediate roadblock when Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, objected to considering only those two amendments. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said the Senate was under the gun to finish the defense bill before the Thanksgiving break, and left the floor without a clear resolution. … The senator said it was imperative to pass the bill this week, explaining there wasn’t enough time left on the legislative calendar to get it finished after the two-week Thanksgiving recess and have it reconciled with the House bill before the Christmas break.” For Pros: http://politico.pro/1anwslz

GOP BLOCKS THIRD OBAMA COURT PICK – Burgess Everett writes for POLITICO: “Senate Republicans on Monday blocked the third of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees in as many weeks, driving the Senate closer to another partisan confrontation over the filibuster. By a vote of 38 to 53, Democrats fell seven votes short of the 60 needed to approve Robert Wilkins’s nomination to the D.C. Circuit Court. Wilkins joins Nina Pillard and Patricia Millett as having been rejected by Republicans who argue that the court’s workload doesn’t justify three more members. It may take weeks to get there, but the latest GOP tactic essentially guarantees the Senate will soon endure another draining fight over changing the chamber’s rules by a simple majority by invoking what is called the ‘nuclear option.’” http://politi.co/1hUbEIbNYT, A1:http://nyti.ms/HWGZJR

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, Nov. 19, 2013, where it’s been exactly 150 years since President Abraham Lincoln gave a 272-word speech known as the Gettysburg Address. This is Huddle, your-play-play preview of all the action on Capitol Hill. Send tips, suggestions, comments, complaints and corrections to swong@politico.com. If you don’t already, please follow me on Twitter @scottwongDC.

My new followers include @ArtHalvorson and @JimTwombly.

TODAY IN CONGRESS – The Senate meets at 10 a.m. and will continue work on the 2014 defense authorization bill. The Senate will recess from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. for weekly party caucus lunches. The House is also in at 10 a.m. with first votes expected between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. and last votes between 5 and 6 p.m. on the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act and the AIDS relief bill known as the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act.

AROUND THE HILL – House Speaker John Boehner and other GOP leaders hold a post-conference media availability at 10 a.m. at the Center Steps. Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, Vice Chairman Joe Crowley, and budget conferees Reps. Jim Clyburn, Nita Lowey and Chris Van Hollen hold a post-meeting availability at 10 a.m. in the HVC-210 alcove. House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce host an Indian-American Meetup, designed to welcome different constituencies to Capitol Hill to facilitate an open dialogue with lawmakers, 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the CVC Auditorium.

Del. Pedro Pierluisi hold a rally in support of Puerto Rico statehood at 11 a.m. on the East Front Lawn. Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer holds a pen and pad briefing at 11 a.m. in H-144. Sen. Mazie Hirono joins Gloria Steinem in a conversation about why feminists must be involved in the struggle for immigration reform, at 2:30 p.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW.

CHENEYS DEFEND LIZ IN GAY MARRIAGE FAMILY FEUD – Jonathan Martin reports for the New York Times: “Breaking their silence about the public feud between their two daughters, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, said Monday that the situation had pained them, but offered some political cover for their elder child, who is seeking a United States Senate seat in Wyoming. Liz Cheney, 47, was criticized on Facebook on Sunday by her sister, Mary, 44, who is a lesbian and objects to Liz’s opposition to same-sex marriage. Mary Cheney and her wife, Heather Poe, have suggested that Liz has always been supportive of their relationship and have questioned how she can do so while publicly opposing same-sex marriage.

-- “But Mr. Cheney and his wife appear to be siding with Liz, and said in the statement that it is possible to be loving toward a lesbian sister and her spouse while not embracing the idea of their marrying. ‘This is an issue we have dealt with privately for many years, and we are pained to see it become public,’ the parents’ statement said. ‘Since it has, one thing should be clear: Liz has always believed in the traditional definition of marriage. She has also always treated her sister and her sister’s family with love and respect, exactly as she should have done. Compassion is called for, even when there is disagreement about such a fundamental matter and Liz’s many kindnesses shouldn’t be used to distort her position.’” http://nyti.ms/1efBktN

-- The Cheneys divide over gay marriage mirrors a similar one in the GOP, POLITICO’s Katie Glueck and James Hohmann report: http://politi.co/1b5idnw

WARREN BLASTS WaPo EDITORIAL – “Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Monday said the country is facing a retirement crisis and slammed a Washington Post editorial that criticized progressives pushing for an expansion of Social Security benefits,” POLITICO’s Kevin Cirilli reports. “Warren (D-Mass.) said that with more retirees depending on Social Security to fund their retirement, budget hawks should drop the idea of cutting benefits. … ‘Two-thirds of seniors rely on it for the majority of their income in retirement, and for 14 million seniors – 14 million – this is the safety net that keeps them out of poverty. God bless Social Security.’ Warren, a leading voice among progressives, zeroed in on a Washington Post editorial published Sunday night that criticized progressives pushing a bill introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) that would boost Social Security benefits by increasing taxes on the wealthy.” http://politi.co/1dS7s5T

BITCOIN PRICE SOARS AS SENATE HOLDS FIRST-EVER HEARING – Ryan Tracy writes for the Wall Street Journal: “Senior U.S. law-enforcement and regulatory officials said they see benefits in digital forms of money and are making progress in tackling its risks. The price of bitcoin, the most common virtual currency, soared to a record following the comments. U.S. authorities, appearing Monday at the first-ever congressional hearing on virtual currencies, outlined the pitfalls and promises of bitcoin amid concern the anonymity and decentralized nature of some virtual currencies can help facilitate crimes. The hearing provided a financial lift to bitcoin as U.S. officials, who have previously highlighted the currency's role in money laundering and other illicit activities, called it a ‘legitimate’ financial service.” http://on.wsj.com/1fOK5eW

CONGRESSIONAL CHARITY FOOTBALL GAME KICKS OFF -- U.S. Capitol Police will take on Jeff Flake, Marco Rubio, Jon Runyan, Donna Edwards and other lawmakers Wednesday night in the 2013 Congressional Football Game for Charity. “The Guards” of the U.S Capitol Police flag football squad, led by Jim Davis, K-9 Handler (US Capitol Police Department) and Counter Intelligence Agent (U.S. Army Reserve), will face off against the congressional “Mean Machine” team, led by Reps. Jeff Denham and Bill Shuster. The game, set for 7 p.m. at the D.C. Armory, benefits the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, Our Military Kids, American Red Cross (North Capital Region) and A Advantage 4 Kids. Suggested donation is $10. The Armory is at 2001 E. Capitol St. SE.

MONDAY’STRIVIA WINNER – Brett Halverson was first to correctly answer that the two future presidents who were in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, were Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon, Kennedy’s GOP rival in the 1960 election. Johnson, of course, was in the same presidential motorcade; Nixon, then a corporate lawyer, had been meeting with a client, and flew out of Dallas the same morning Kennedy arrived. The Morning News has more: http://dallasne.ws/19oKZwQ

TODAY’S TRIVIA – If you’ve visited the Newseum’s JFK exhibit, this question should be an easy one: Name the only photographer allowed in the room when John F. Kennedy asked his Democratic rival Lyndon B. Johnson to be his vice presidential running mate. The first person to correctly answer gets a mention in the next day's Huddle. Email me at swong@politico.com.

50 YEARS AGO: WHERE WERE YOU? – Huddle readers, tell us where you were when you first heard President Kennedy had been shot. I’ll include a few of your memories each day leading up to Friday’s anniversary. Email swong@politico.com.

--Alexandra Ebe “Sandy” Stern, retired NYC teacher from Hilton Head, S.C.: I was in 10th grade English class in Plainview High School, in Long Island, NY. As a fifteen-year-old, I was devastated and saddened with the news of the event which had a great influence on my life.

-- Kathi Dutilh, government relations manager at Milliken & Co. in D.C.: I was 9 years old from Appleton, Wisc. … The PA announced the news. We were all told to go home. I walked the three blocks - opened the door to find my mother sobbing... will never forget that sight

-- Frank Damon, retired attorney from Pacific Palisades, Calif.: I was a student in an Econ class at UCLA and the professor was annoyed that there were rumblings about JFK being shot in Dallas, so he dismissed the class. We all went to congregate at the main library steps, confused, apprehensive and not knowing what was happening. A few students had radios and it was confirmed that the president was shot, but we didn't know for sure yet if he was killed. We all liked him a lot and feared what would happen if Johnson took over.

GET HUDDLE emailed to your Blackberry, iPhone or other mobile device each morning. Just enter your email address where it says “Sign Up.” http://www.politico.com/huddle/

** Both sides agree it’s time for a permanent fix to Medicare’s broken funding formula, not another costly patch. Let’s do it. FixMedicareNow.org. **

** A message from the Stop The HIT Coalition: The Health Insurance Tax (HIT) drives up health care costs for small businesses, seniors, state Medicaid programs and middle-income Americans. The HIT is estimated to cost hardworking American families an additional $5,000 over a decade. And since the cost and consequences of the HIT increase over time, America’s small businesses and hardworking families are facing a bigger HIT every year. This translates to real jobs for businesses and real wages for families. That’s why the Stop The HIT Coalition – representing the nation’s small business owners and their employees – is working hard to repeal the HIT before it causes even more damage. Congress, please stop the HIT. Once and for all. http://bit.ly/1iE6tfW **

Authors:

About The Author

Scott Wong covers transportation for POLITICO Pro, and authors The Huddle, POLITICO’s popular morning tipsheet on Congress. He was a congressional reporter with the publication from 2010 to 2012.

He reported from Tucson, Ariz., after the deadly shooting rampage that severely injured Rep. Gabby Giffords and helped break a story about Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill’s private plane that led to her admission she owed more than $300,000 in state property taxes.

He got his professional start in journalism covering local government for two small newspapers in his native San Francisco Bay Area. He later became a staff writer for The Arizona Republic, where he covered the Arizona statehouse and Phoenix City Hall.

After graduating from UCLA, he spent a year teaching English in a rural mountain village in Japan. He is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association, and lives with his wife and daughter in Washington.